BleepingComputer.com: Onboard Sound Output gone very low

Hi,

My problem is that one fine day the sound output on my desktop computer went very low without any reason or warning. I did everything I could, tried with different speakers, even with my stereo system, but the sound was low in all of them, so I figured this had to be a hardware problem inside the computer - or specifically on the motherboard, since I use the onboard sound output of my Intel DG31PR.

I think it started after - or just around the time - I changed my power supply unit (my computer had begun to restart by itself, esp when I tried to use the cd-rom drive, I checked and saw the power supply fan had stopped turning, so I replaced the PSU and all the problems went away, all except this one!)

So I exchanged my new power supply for another unit, but the sound problem is still there.

I've been struggling with this a long time, so all the obvious explanations are ruled out. (I've attached a few pics to illustrate!)

 Realtek.gif (96.75K)
Number of downloads: 15
 vol_mix.gif (21.94K)
Number of downloads: 11
 levels.gif (30.79K)
Number of downloads: 6
 levels_2.gif (29.55K)
Number of downloads: 9

There are no hardware conflicts, I have tried with all the new and old drivers for the device, but nothing works. In fact, now I think the sound is getting progressively lower!

 driver.gif (28.81K)
Number of downloads: 12
 devicem.gif (38.46K)
Number of downloads: 8

I'm also attaching the details of my dxdiag log, which also shows no problems with the sound:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Machine name: DESKTOP
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: INTEL
System Model: DG31PR
BIOS: BIOS Date: 01/23/08 15:53:32 Ver: 08.00.10
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Duo CPU E4500 @ 2.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2036MB RAM
Page File: 1546MB used, 10668MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_8086D608&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6167 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 7/28/2010 18:23:36, 3154920 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX™ 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2™ Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura™ ZoomFX™: No

Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_8086D608&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6167 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 7/28/2010 18:23:36, 3154920 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX™ 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2™ Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura™ ZoomFX™: No


The only explanation is that some component of the onboard sound has gone belly up, and the question that I want to ask is that is there some way this can be fixed (some small component replaced ~ with some minor soldering perhaps?) Or if I get a separate new sound card will it fix the problem or will it be the same since the new card will after all go on the same motherboard?

Thanx in advance for all your replies.

This post has been edited by whatsinaname: 14 August 2010 - 12:39 AM

Welcome to Bleepingcomputer.

If you feel your on-board sound chip is failing, you can always purchase a decent add in sound card and turn off the on-board.

I can see your volume controls are all maxed out, I should advise you that certain software such as Windows Media Player has its own built in volume control.

You should make sure you have adjusted those controls as well as your on-board chips volume properties.

Bruce.

try to upgrade or downgrade your realtek audio driver...
or use another speaker or headset...

soldering or desoldering you onboard audio driver is very hard and could say imposible to do...

if after you upgrade or downgrade realtek audio driver still have same issue...you could try using sound card (PCI Card)...but first try to borrow that soundcard from your friend or family...just to make sure that your onbord sound card that have problem not your OS...corrupted OS sometimes make this but its very rare to happen...

Bruce and abauw, thanks for your replies.

@Bruce, even with the volume control on VLC media player maxed up to 200%, it hardly makes any difference.

@abauw, I've tried to upgrade and downgrade drivers multiple times, it's still the same.

I guess the only thing left to try is getting another sound card and hope that works!